Certain areas of Invercargill such as bus stops, carparks and on the footpaths outside education facilities could all soon be smoke and vape free.
The Invercargill City Council is reviewing its Smokefree policy and although the current one includes vaping as well, the wording will change to make it clearer.
Staff told the Community and Regulatory Committee on Tuesday afternoon that the new proposed Smokefree Vapefree policy supported council’s commitment to promoting healthy choices and healthy environments.
The policy currently covers the Invercargill CBD, workplaces, council-owned parks, playgrounds, reserves and certain sports grounds, as well as the Splash Palace car park.
In a report to the committee, it was noted that staff receive very few complaints from members of the public regarding smoking or vaping in public places - just two since 2020, when it was first implemented.
Research shows smoking rates in New Zealand (of cigarettes) have declined steadily since 2011/2012, nearly halving between 2011/2012 and 2024/2025. The prevalence of daily smoking in 2024/2025 was 6.8%.
But vaping rates in New Zealand have steadily increased over the past decade to a national average of 11.7% daily users and 16.9% in Southland.
The Invercargill City Youth Council carried out a survey of Invercargill high school students regarding vaping habits in 2023.
Their survey attracted 164 responses, and whilst it was recognised the study had some limitations, it found that around 41% of survey participants vaped at least some of the time, with 26% doing so daily. Additionally, 16% of participants vaped but had never smoked cigarettes.
Staff recommended that council consider widening the areas which are designated smokefree vapefree in the city - in particularly, council owned or operated facilities, including parking lots and buildings, bus stops and public toilets.
It is also recommended that the smokefree vapefree area extend to the footpath directly in front of early learning services and schools.
“These premises are already required to be smokefree and vapefree at all times by law.
“Designating the footpath outside to also be smokefree and vapefree would support this, as well as aiming to reduce the exposure of children and young people to smoking and vaping.”
Council’s policy was not a bylaw so couldn’t be enforced - the policy was more of an educational tool, staff told the meeting.
However, it was noted the Invercargill was one of the first councils in New Zealand to adopt a smokefree policy.
It is recommended that council encourage businesses within the smokefree vapefree area who operate on the footpath (for example, licence holders in the central business district with a licensed area on the footpath, or venues with outdoor dining space on the footpath), to support the smokefree vapefree area.
This is in line with the existing provisions of the policy which state that the smokefree areas include outdoor dining areas, outdoor public areas, and public access ways to commercial buildings such as footpaths.
If approved by the committee and adopted by council for consultation, public consultation will be carried out between 14 September and 9 October 2026.